How To Use Those Funky Chromatic Bass Notes (like Jamerson & Jaco!)

Last week we looked at some melodic devices with a lesson taken from the new Ultimate Music Theory For Bass course. We looked at how you can use scale notes around the chord tones to create bass lines and music in general. This week we’re going to follow up with a look at how we can use Chromatic Notes in bass lines and melodies.

Now obviously, when it comes to chromatic notes, you can’t just use a chromatic scale and hope for the best. If you’re playing through a chord progression, the chord tones are the consonant notes. That’s the framework we use for our 'correct notes'

Scales and Chromatic Notes work around those chord tones and 'melodic devices' are the key to incorporating them with purpose and musicality.
This is the kind of music theory that will change how you play and it’s the key to understanding how players like James Jamerson and Jaco Pastorius created those amazing chromatic bass lines. They are also essential for developing a strong walking bass style.

Ultimate Theory For Bass Guitar Available Here: https://members.talkingbass.net/shop/

#basslessons #talkingbass #bassriff

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:27 How To Use Chromatic Notes
1:57 C Major Scale Exercise
3:53 Why Chromatic Notes Work
5:13 Passing Note Exercise
6:53 Major 7 Exercise
7:23 Dominant 7 Exercise
8:36 Minor 7 Exercise
10:30 16th Note Funk Line
13:46 Chord Progression
14:25 Approach Notes
15:18 Chromatic Approach
16:29 Chromatic Enclosure
18:50 Vocabulary